Okafor, of West Norwood, south London, was found guilty of two counts of racially or religiously aggravated harassment (Picture: Shomrim N.E. London)

A man has been found guilty of hurling anti-Semitic abuse at Jewish families as they made their way to synagogue for morning prayer.

Glenn Okafor, 32, confronted members of the Jewish community marking the Sabbath day, saying: ‘we will wipe you out’.

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The incident took place in Stamford Hill, east London, at around 9.15am on March 4, a trial at Stratford Magistrates’ Court was told.

Okafor, of West Norwood, south London, was found guilty of two counts of racially or religiously aggravated harassment and two counts of using threatening or abusive behaviour to cause alarm or distress.

Prosecutor Ghulam Humayun said the defendant, who was walking through an area home to several synagogues, shouted ‘Fuck you Jewish people. You lot should go back to your own country.’

The incident took place in Stamford Hill, east London, at around 9.15am on March 4, a trial at Stratford Magistrates’ Court was told. (Picture: Google)

He told worshippers: ‘We will sort you out. I have friends. I’ll be back tomorrow. We will wipe you out.’

Hershel Stroh, who was on his way to a synagogue in the area, said he saw a black man surrounded by around 20 people.

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He said he was shouting and screaming, making comments including: ‘Fuck the Jewish people.’

Mr Stroh followed the defendant and another man up Stamford Hill, along with other members of the community and security guards, while police were called.

He said: ‘He just wanted to cause terror and scare people and he was ready to attack people. If it was not for us and the security he would have attacked someone.

‘I was very, very scared for myself and the whole community.’

Alexander Gluck, who was also walking to synagogue, said he heard the commotion and was approached by Okafor, who made ‘some really aggressive’ comments.

He said the defendant told him ‘we are the real Jews’ and threatened ‘I’ll wipe you out’.

He said he was shouting and screaming, making comments including: ‘Fuck the Jewish people.’ (Picture: Rob Stothard/Getty Images)

John Corcoran, for the defence, said Okafor had been engaging members of the community in a ‘theological debate’ and had not made racist comments.

Giving evidence, Okafor told the court: ‘I approached a Jewish man or a man of the Jewish community just to ask them a few questions about the origin of Judaism as it’s something I have been looking into.’

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He said two other Jewish people interrupted, angry at the conversation taking place, causing the interaction to become ‘heated’.

But chair of the bench Danni Tate said the confrontation was not a ‘chance encounter’.

Finding Okafor guilty of all four counts, she said: ‘We find the comments were racially aggravated and specifically targeted members of the Jewish community.’

Rabbi Herschel Gluck, president of Stamford Hill Shomrim, said: ‘Those who commit anti-Semitic abuse should be aware that we live in a civilised society where this type of behavior will not be tolerated.

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‘Those that commit hate crimes will be brought to justice and sentenced accordingly for their crimes.

‘We hope that this case sends out a clear message that will help deter further acts of this kind.’

Okafor was released on unconditional bail and will be sentenced on Friday at Thames Magistrates’ Court.